After 38 years, the biggest bee about the size of a walnut, has been discovered again in Indonesia. Fondly called Wallace’s giant bee, it most certainly is a goliath. With a wingspan of at least 7.5 centimeters, it has been about 40 years since this humungous bee was sighted in its natural environment. The challenge of finding the gigantic bee was accepted by entomologist, Eli Wyman and photographer, Clay Bolt. The two set off to find the elusive insect in Indonesia.

The female of the bees bore into termite mounds to make a nest. Though they stopped at every termite mound and waited for days, they did not see the bee. Just as they were about to go home, they found a distinct hole. They tapped the hole with a blade of grass and out came a female of the bee species. It was an exciting rediscovery as they captured the female Wallace’s giant bee for observation. They released her after. Knowing that the giant bee species is still out there in Indonesia was a relief.